Friday, August 3, 2012

Recovering Kentucky Politician Defends Israel

Jonathan Miller, 45, a progressive Kentucky
Democrat, served as his state’s Treasurer for eight years and unsuccessfully
ran for the office of governor in 2007. A former aide to Vice President Al
Gore, Miller now considers himself a “recovering politician” whose website
serves as a forum of ideas how to fix America’s most intractable problems:
climate change, skyrocketing health care costs, the country’s
multi-trillion-dollar debt, and more.

Since his retirement from politics, Miller
says “I am dedicating my life to working on causes that I believe
in, which of course includes the safety and security of the Jewish State.”

Q: What was the motivation that led to your writing “The
Liberal Case for Israel”?

A: I have been a Zionist my entire life, but upon a recent trip to Israel,
I learned for the first time how Israel has become an extraordinary liberal
democracy -- progressive in so many areas including womens' equality, gay
rights, immigrant support, and tax policy.

Q: Do you think that the American media is responsible
for misrepresenting modern day Israel, its security needs and politics? Are
there any exceptions to this?

A: Yes, and I write extensively in my book about how and why the American media
gets Israel so wrong. There are few exceptions: The New Republic and ironically
for this liberal, Fox News.

Q: Your book debunks “eight crazy lies” about the Jewish
State. Are they actually lies, or possibly misunderstandings?

A: There are many misunderstanding, but I identify untruths that really do rise
to the level of crazy lies. This includes the libel that Israel is an Apartheid
state and the ridiculous notion that Israel promotes gay tourism as a way to
"pinkwash" its faults.

Q: One of the lies you debunk in the book is the use of
the word “apartheid” when referring to Israel. In brief, what is your argument
against this lie?

A: Arab citizens of Israel have all of the same rights
and responsibilities as their Jewish neighbors (with one exception -- military
conscription which is now being debated.) This thoroughly refutes the notion
that there is apartheid. Even in the disputed territories, Palestinian engage
in self-government --- a completely opposite approach of the former apartheid
regime in South Africa.

Q: How do you define “Israel Firster” and what is the lie
connected to that term?

A: In recent years, that's the term anti-Zionists have
used to label those of us who oppose the U.S. government pressuring Israel to
make unilateral concessions in the pursuit of peace. Like the rest of American
Zionists I know, I am an American first, and to say that I place Israeli
interests over my home country is libeling me as a traitor.

Q: You describe Israel as being a liberal democracy, yet
in many ways, especially concerning religion, Israel is very conservative. Any
contradiction here?

A: There are many conservative elements in Israel that have a disproportionate
sway over public policy in Israel. The same is true here in the United States. But
Israel is not even close to resembling the conservative theocracies of the
countries that surround it. In every way we in America value liberal democracy
-- freedoms of speech and religion, the rights of judicial redress,
non-discrimination against gays, minorities, women, new immigrants -- Israel
passes with flying colors.

Q: What more can Israel do to help make its case to the
American public?

A: I discuss in my book how I am trying to educate
American liberals of the extraordinary democracy that is Israel. I encourage
other Zionists to join me through passing my book around and using social media
to get the message out.

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About Me

Originally from Sioux City, Iowa, I have been living in Israel since the
age of fifteen. I served in the Israeli army, was the founding member
of a kibbutz, and currently reside on a moshav outside Jerusalem. I
lived and worked in Bulgaria during the years 2009 - 2010.
To contact me:
ellisshuman @ gmail.com